PREFACE

With increasing weapon system complexitN sition to production To epsure the timely and sophistacaton, prime contractors must acquisition and deployment of highlN invariably re1 on more and more rehable and effective weapon systems, szbcontractor support to provide the however, one must address subcontracting needed skills, capabilities, or product- issuei throughout the acquisition and with which to produce such weapons A eeployient phases. This can be number of stuJie; and.'eports, over thE ac3omnflished by the GovernmeIt past years, ha'e indicated that the cost przimoting and facilitating successful and amount of the subcontracted portion prime contractor interac:ions with sub-of many weapon ssstem acquisitions have contractors withoui impinging on the become equal to rr greater than that of privity of the contracts between the prrme the pýrime contractors As these and the subcontractors. Unhke the percentages have continued to increase, concept of subcontract management that is prime contractors ha'e indicated that theN primarily concerned with contractor are also experiencing significat t cost and procurement systems, this concept of sched-ile d-fficulties that are attribut3ble intensified Government act.vsIt is to ot are the.esult of subcont:actors " referred to as subcontra:ting management probems and encompasses the fanctions If planning and management ot key aspents of In discussing subcontractor control, as subcntvcted effT.rts, t;hrough enhanced related to the abo'.e acquisition en'i- Government coordination and intera:tion roninent, DoD) Manual 4245 7-M 1 states with prart contractors that more emocasrs Qn effecti'e mar-agemcnt of subcQntraztors is CleariN RE ENCE needed within indlustr \ and in thc 0,.-ernMient's ma.aagement of 1.I " DoD Manual 4245 7-M, 'Transatmo from Sitf th.!re is to be a smooth tran- DNveoprmnt to Produci.on. " September 1981,. p 5 1i- Ae6efslon For rTIS rGTA&v